Chapel plans are music to our ears

REFURBISHMENT work begins on the chapel. Pictured are Michael Leadbetter, David Wood, Yvonne Lee (Chief Executive of Age UK), Paul Rayner and Michael Hynes.

PLANS for a £1.3m project to turn a former Oldham chapel into a heritage centre reached a key stage this week.

The Grade II listed building on George Street, formerly the Independent Methodist Church, has been given the go-ahead for the overhaul, which has proved music to locals’ ears.

But what really had residents piping up was the news that the 140-year-old organ will also be restored, pipe by pipe, using the same materials as in its 1870s heyday. The organ will be transported to Huddersfield for a £49,000 refit. The chapel’s refurbishment will begin once the organ has been removed.

Yvonne Lee, chief executive of Age UK Oldham, which runs the site, said: “We are so excited the refurbishment is underway.

“The organ is a very attractive focal point in this charming chapel and thanks to our funders, visitors will soon be able to hear it playing once more.”

The organ has been in the chapel since it was bought by parishioners in the 1870s, although an initial inspection of the organ suggests it may be even older.

The work is being undertaken at a cost of £1.3m, using grants of £1m from The Heritage Lottery Fund and £100,000 from a fund set up by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and English Heritage.

Yvonne added: “The scheme to restore the chapel not only preserves a Grade II landmark in the town centre, it will also give this historic building a new purpose as a heritage attraction and a venue for events and functions.”